Nairobi, Kenya, May 14, 2026 – The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Partnership (IPC) confirmed today that food security conditions in Sudan continue to deteriorate, as the country remains one of the most severe hunger crises in the world. The IPC warned of the escalating risk of famine in 14 areas across three states.
This new analysis follows previous confirmations of famine in Kadugli and El Fasher and likely famine conditions in Dilling last September. Alerts were also issued in February for Um Baru and Kernoi as acute malnutrition levels surpassed famine thresholds. Months later, the international community has taken no meaningful action.
While the current IPC analysis does not confirm famine, this should not be interpreted as an improvement. Starvation in Sudan is a reality for millions; the threat of hunger expanding remains high and may increase rapidly in the absence of significant improvements in security, access, and humanitarian assistance delivery.
“This report does not show progress: it shows a crisis being ignored, and mass starvation being normalized. The international community must act now: protect civilians, open access, fund the response before more lives are lost to starvation.” said Walter Mwasaa, CARE East and Southern Africa Regional Director.
Looking ahead, it was not possible for the IPC to conduct a full nationwide projection analysis. That means that any projections could significantly underestimate the scale and severity of deterioration in the coming months. All available evidence today points towards an alarming food crisis in Sudan, with no improvement in sight.
Active hostilities, including daily drone attacks, are intensifying across large parts of Darfur and Kordofan states, as well as Blue Nile, severely undermining the conditions required to prevent starvation. The drivers of hunger continue unabated. Persistent aid access obstructions, including insecurity, shifting frontlines, unlawful siege tactics and blocked crossline routes, attacks on farmlands and markets, leave communities cut off from food, markets, healthcare and nutrition services, with many families surviving on one meal a day or less.
Women are paying a heavy price, facing brutal gender-based violence, including sexual violence, that has further restricted their safety, mobility and access to food and essential services, sharply increasing the risks they face. Women support entire food systems, while often being forced to eat ‘last and least’ where food supplies are limited, as they prioritize feeding their families first. In many households, women are farmers, traders and caregivers, sustaining food access where formal systems and assistance have failed, and keeping food on plates despite extraordinary risks.
The humanitarian response is further constrained by critical underfunding. Despite recent pledges announced in Berlin less than a month ago, funding remains far short of what is needed.
The use of starvation as a tactic of war and obstruction of access are international humanitarian law (IHL) violations and must immediately stop. Conflict parties must respect their obligations to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of life saving aid. It is past time that Third States also deliver on their obligations to ensure respect for IHL in Sudan.
CARE reiterates that starvation is entirely preventable. But prevention and response require urgent political action to reach a lasting and comprehensive ceasefire, sustained humanitarian access and sufficient quality funding, especially to local actors and women-led organizations who continue to be the first responders. All are critically lacking.
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